While the main function of a kitchen is to prepare and cook food, in modern times it has become much more than that. The kitchen is the central hub of a home - a space to spend time with loved ones, enjoy a coffee in the mornings, entertain guests, or help little ones with homework.
Whether you’re building a new home or breathing life into an old kitchen, you want to get it right. Luckily, if you’re building with Metricon, all the hard work is taken care of – you’ll just need to decide on the key features you want your kitchen to have, to ensure it fits in with your lifestyle.
When designing your dream kitchen, the hardest part is knowing what to splurge on, and what to save on. So, how do you choose between a butler’s pantry and walk-in pantry? Standard appliances and upgraded appliances? Cabinetry finishes? Benchtop thicknesses? The list goes on.
While it can be overwhelming at first – we’re here to help simplify this process with the help of Metricon’s Kitchen Design Specialist, Ben Tarry.
Ben’s first piece of advice is, “Everyone has different requirements - some may be about the aesthetic, whereas others are about functionality, or a particular appliance brand. They’re all important in their own right – what matters most is bringing it all together to achieve the perfect space.”
Appliances
If you live in a household where you’re cooking for a large number of people, you need all the support you can get. Ben suggests that you make sure you have enough over-space to cater for the whole family. “If you keep the ovens under bench, you can splurge by placing two 600 mm ovens side-by-side, or upgrade to a 900mm oven. If you need easy access, you should consider a wall oven as you won’t need to bend over.”
You can also upgrade your cooktop so you can better manage the many pots and pans sautéing, bubbling and frying. Insufficient space on a cooktop will be a thing of the past and you’ll be able to cook for your small army with ease. Ben suggests “Consider how you plan on styling your home when you pick out your cooktop. If you’re going to have other stainless-steel items, you can safely choose a stainless-steel cooktop. If not, glass usually displays as black which is a safe bet.”
Another great option is installing two sinks instead of one. They don’t have to be side-by-side – in fact we often incorporate a second sink into our butler’s pantry so you can do all the messy prep out of sight and keep your countertops squeaky clean. This is especially handy if you’re entertaining guests.
Storage
Who doesn’t need more storage space in their kitchen? Pots, pans, utensils and electronics take up an abundance of space, so when you’re planning a new kitchen, splurge on smart storage solutions. Ben recommends soft closing drawers over cupboards.
“Choosing drawers over cupboards increases the accessibility of the space as there’s no more reaching deep or bending low to grab something up the back. Opting for soft close prevents drawers from being slammed, and it’s also and affordable way to add a sense of luxury to the space.”
When you design the inside of your drawers, Ben also suggests installing cutlery and utensil trays. These trays will help to keep the inside of your drawers clutter-free.
Benches
If you really want to achieve a luxe look in your kitchen, spend some money enhancing the island bench.
“Focus on increasing the depth of your island bench – if the space allows for it. This will give you more usable space up top, and more leg room below for kitchen stools.”
The island bench can transform from a place to prepare food to the focal point of the kitchen and dining space. To up the wow factor, pick out a stone-look finish benchtop and install pendant lights or track lighting.
For more island bench inspiration, head to our Image Gallery.
Cabinetry
You can take the look of your kitchen to the next level by splurging on cabinetry. The finish of your cabinetry can bring your kitchen from plain to luxe. Ben recommends 2-pac paint, which is an enamel acrylic paint system offering an unlimited range of colours and incredible durability. Consider profiling your cabinets if you’re designing a traditional home or go without for a more contemporary space.
Finally, to achieve a harmonious look in your kitchen, Ben recommends integrating your dishwasher, fridge and bin into the cabinetry. Out of sight, out of mind!
Ben’s final piece of advice
“If you can only splurge on one thing, splurge on the areas that aren’t on show. The hardware is what holds it a kitchen together and makes it function more effortlessly and for longer. Make the kitchen as functional as possible, and style it with your favourite décor once it’s complete.”
Ben is one of our many expert specialists operating out of our Studio M selection centre. If you’d like to see more pictures of professionally designed and styled kitchens, click through to our Lookbook.
